Page 24 - 80 Square Feet Medicinal Garden

80 Square-Feet SHTF Medicinal Garden

Infectious Diseases

Your choice of plant for treating an infectious disease will depend largely on the
disease. I choose to grow a variety of plants that are effective against infections of
all kinds. Black-eyed Susan, Cleavers, St John’s Wort, Boneset, and Goldenseal, are
my main choices in this category.

Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum
• 3 Square feet
• Hardiness zones: 2 to 10

• Soil pH 5.8 to 6.8
• Full sun to partial shade
• Height: 2 to 4 feet

Boneset is an Antispasmodic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Emetic, Febrifuge,
Homeopathy, Laxative, Purgative, Stimulant, and Vasodilator. It is useful for
treating fevers, respiratory infections, and ordinary colds and flu. It is named for
its ability to treat Dengue Fever, also known as Break Bone Fever. It also has been
used to treat malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid fever, mainly for its ability to
reduce the accompanying fever.

Growing Boneset

Boneset prefers partial shade, though it can handle full sun. It likes moist, fertile
soil, and requires 30 days of stratification before planting the seeds.

Start by mixing the seeds into some
moist potting soil in a plastic bag.
Seal the bag and place it in the
refrigerator for 30 days. Check the
bag regularly to keep the seeds
moist, but not wet. If the seeds start
to germinate, plant them
immediately, either outdoors if the
last frost has passed, or in pots
indoors.

Plant the seeds in the garden with a
very thin covering of soil. The plants
need light to germinate. Water them
by misting with a spray bottle until
they have become established.

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